There are 88 Academy Award-winning movies out there. Stretching from the silent film era to the age of IMAX, the past nine decades of Oscar winners represent a veritable history of American cinema. Read along for a look at the best of the best flicks from each decade of the awards.

Advertisement

1920s & '30s*

The best: "Gone with the Wind" (1939) remains the most successful film in box-office history when you adjust for inflation. Anchored by Vivien Leigh and Clark Gable's performance, the romance set against the backdrop of the South during the Civil War echoes with viewers nearly 80 years after its release.

Runner-up: "All Quiet on the Western Front" (1930) at its time was hailed as a realistic portrayal of World War I, which doesn't get enough attention in popular culture.

*There were only two Academy Award ceremonies in the '20s.

1940s

The best: The World War II-set "Casablanca" (1943) has some of the most famous lines in movie history -- "Louie, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship." -- and is among the finest films in Hollywood's long tradition of wartime romance dramas.

Runner-up: "Hamlet" (1948) might not be everyone's cup of tea, especially for the non-Shakespeare fans, but it's worth checking out for screen legend Laurence Olivier's performance in the lead role.

1950s

The best: "On the Waterfront" (1954) isn't the only time a Marlon Brando-vehicle will be seen on this list, but his role as a prize fighter-turned-dockworker might be the finest of his career. To paraphrase Brando, "Waterfront" was most definitely a contender and certainly no bum.

Runner-up: Charlton Heston's epic "Ben-Hur" (1959) was the most expensive film in history at the time and it showed.

1960s

The best: Sweeping storytelling, cinematography, a sublime score and a powerhouse Peter O'Toole performance came together for the magnificent "Lawrence of Arabia" (1962).

Runner-up: The musical "West Side Story" (1961) is a crowd-pleasing riff on "Romeo & Juliet," filled with great numbers from its Broadway predecessor.

1970s

The best: "The Godfather" (1972) or "The Godfather Part II" (1974)? It's like picking your favorite child, so we'll go with both. The story of the Corleone crime family is an epic in every sense but very human, with Marlon Brando dominating the screen and Al Pacino bringing pathos to Michael's tragic rise and fall.

Runner-up: "The Deer Hunter" (1978) is a tense drama that shows the toll of war. Robert DeNiro shines as always, but it was Christopher Walken and Meryl Streep who put in the award-winning performances.

1980s

The best: "Amadeus" (1984) transports audiences to 18th Century Vienna for a look into the life of the titular composer Amadeus Mozart and his great rival, Antonio Salieri. It might take some liberties with history, but the period piece is wildly entertaining.

Runner-up: Dustin Hoffman's incredible portrayal of an autistic savant is what everyone remembers from "Rain Man" (1988), but it's also a tender story of a shallow man finding family in an unexpected place.

1990s

The best: The powerful Holocaust drama "Schindler's List" (1993) may be director Steven Spielberg's most personal film. After decades of World War II films focusing on soldiers, this was the clearest depiction of one of the 20th Century's great tragedies. Liam Neeson and Ralph Fiennes turn in career-best work.

Runner-up: Turn on your TV and flip through the basic cable channels. You've got a better than even chance of finding "Forest Gump" (1994).

2000s

The best: "The Departed" (2006) not only won the Oscar, but it also delivered Martin Scorsese a long-deserved Best Director win. Jack Nicholson, Leonardo DiCaprio and Matt Damon all stand out in one of the best crime dramas of the new century.

Runner-up: The Cohen brothers brought author Cormac McCarthy's "No Country for Old Men" (2007) to the big screen with a brilliant adaptation. The film is a masterclass in tension, and Javier Bardem's villain Anton Chigurh was haunting.

2010s

The best: "The King's Speech," like most "based on a true story" films, plays a little loose with its history and characterizations, but it's a triumphant film that featured genuine performances by Colin Firth as the stammering King George VI and Geoffrey Rush as his speech therapist.

Runner-up: If it were a category, "Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)" would win for oddest Oscar title. But the film remains a fascinating Broadway drama with must-see cinematography and a star turn that brought Michael Keaton back into the limelight.